It was reported that the reason for the mission failure was a valve that was not closed between the helium and oxidizer tanks, so the pressure in the oxidizer tank exceeded the permissible values and the tank collapsed. Therefore, Peregrine flew away, lost fuel and failed to reach lunar orbit.
As a result, the module began to return to Earth, performing 23 short-term burns in the main engines and adjusting its orbit when it entered the atmosphere. The device burned down at 00:04 Moscow time on January 19, with unburned debris falling far from land into the South Pacific Ocean.
It was not reported what happened to the payload in the module. Most likely the cargo burned along with Peregrine. The module contained two small lunar rovers, 8 scientific instruments, memorial plaques, time capsules, 2 capsules containing ash fragments of approximately 65 people, and a dog.
Source: Ferra
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